Pre-Moistened Lens Wipes. Safe?

shutterpuppy · 01-21-2009, 05:32 PM

Hey All,
At Walgreens, I came across a package of pre-moistened eyeglass wipes... 30 for $3.99, the package says they are safe for camera lenses too. I know that if you add "photographic" to a common item, the price can skyrocket (remembering the days of photo paper cutters that use to cost a lot more than an office paper cutter would for essentially the same thing. Has anyone used these and can they cause any long term damage. I trust them on eyeglasses but on lenses $300 or more, I don't want to risk it.

Thanks
Barry

Miserere · 01-21-2009, 05:43 PM

My non-professional opinion: They're safe. At least I hope they are, because I use them from time to time when a lens gets fingerprints and/or smudges. For dust I just use the blower.

Quicksand · 01-21-2009, 06:09 PM

Probably safe, in my opinion. But use with care, because ANYTHING you touch to a lens, no matter how soft, can drag around abrasive bits of grunge. And that goes for wipes, lens pens, soft-bristle brushes, or whatever.

Start with the blower!

mithrandir · 01-21-2009, 06:47 PM

Check the ingredients. If they have ammonia, then they are unsafe for optical coatings. If they have alcohol, then they potentially could harm some optical coatings. You might want to look into something like Purosol.

shutterpuppy · 01-21-2009, 07:45 PM

Thanks guys,
So many different opinions, they do have a faint smell of alcohol to them and that's what had me worried, I'm only using them now to clean the LCD of smudges for which it does a great job

Barry

Toshi · 01-21-2009, 08:28 PM

As mentioned above, if it contains any alcohol, thinner, benzine, or any other organic solvent, don't use it (all my lens manuals state this.) The specialized optical coating on lenses can be ruined over time.

laissezfaire · 01-21-2009, 10:09 PM

Originally posted by Toshi

As mentioned above, if it contains any alcohol, thinner, benzine, or any other organic solvent, don't use it (all my lens manuals state this.) The specialized optical coating on lenses can be ruined over time.

then what lens cleaners would you recommend and where do you get it from?

mithrandir · 01-21-2009, 10:25 PM

Check Amazon.com for Purosol for optical lenses. You can use it with Kim-wipes or a microfiber cloth.

Toshi · 01-21-2009, 10:28 PM

Originally posted by laissezfaire

then what lens cleaners would you recommend and where do you get it from?

I use a blower to get all potential dust off the lens first. Then I use a Lenspen brush to gently brush the surface. If there's any smudges after that, I use my breath and a high quality microfiber cloth and gently wipe. I use the backend of the Lenspen sometimes as well. If you want to use liquid cleaners, I'd use camera lens specific ones like Eclipse. They can all be found online.

Wheatfield · 01-22-2009, 07:03 AM

Originally posted by shutterpuppy

Hey All,
At Walgreens, I came across a package of pre-moistened eyeglass wipes... 30 for $3.99, the package says they are safe for camera lenses too. I know that if you add "photographic" to a common item, the price can skyrocket (remembering the days of photo paper cutters that use to cost a lot more than an office paper cutter would for essentially the same thing. Has anyone used these and can they cause any long term damage. I trust them on eyeglasses but on lenses $300 or more, I don't want to risk it.

Thanks
Barry

The wet wipes I've seen contain isopropyl alcohol, which is perfectly safe for lens coatings. One thing to remember is that eyeglass lenses are much more fragile than camera lenses, so in general what is safe for cleaning your glasses will be safe for your camera lens.
With that in mind, I bought a package of Zeiss wet wipes from our local Wal-Mart optical kiosk. I found that they work well for cleaning off smudges, but they do leave a residue which has to subsequently be removed with a dry wipe and breath (I use old cotton shirt material for this).

**dcmsox2004** · 01-22-2009, 08:10 AM

These Zeiss wipes are 5" X 6" pre-moistened, individually wrapped lens cloths. They are a good, quick way to clean lenses. These wipes contain isopropyl alcohol to safely and effectively clean without leaving streaks or residue.

Lenses stay cleaner longer and are resistant to static. The nonabrasive cloths are designed for anytime, anywhere one-time use.

Excellent for prescription eyeglasses, sun and sport lenses, scopes and binoculars, camera lens, safety and sports goggles. Ok for occasional use for computer screens. Keep several on hand in your car, at work, at home or school.

i've used these for quite a while for my prescriptive eyeglasses, great with no streaking/residue....
BUT, on camera lenses, they have a tendency to leave a residue, easily removed with a microfiber type cloth...
also, picked up a small giottos blower..... best thing i've bought in years....

aCIDfire · 01-22-2009, 11:51 AM

Hi, new to pentaxforums.com

For all of my lenses I use this set of wet-dry
cleaners: GREEN CLEAN LENS CLEANER

They are safe and leave no marks on lens surface. And they are cheap too.

slawek · 01-22-2009, 12:44 PM

Is "Green clean" available on line?

01-21-2009, 05:32 PM	#1
shutterpuppy Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Dallas Texas Posts: 319	Pre-Moistened Lens Wipes. Safe? Hey All, At Walgreens, I came across a package of pre-moistened eyeglass wipes... 30 for $3.99, the package says they are safe for camera lenses too. I know that if you add "photographic" to a common item, the price can skyrocket (remembering the days of photo paper cutters that use to cost a lot more than an office paper cutter would for essentially the same thing. Has anyone used these and can they cause any long term damage. I trust them on eyeglasses but on lenses $300 or more, I don't want to risk it. Thanks Barry

01-22-2009, 08:10 AM	#11
dcmsox2004 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: rhode island Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,522	found this info 'bout zeiss wipes.... These Zeiss wipes are 5" X 6" pre-moistened, individually wrapped lens cloths. They are a good, quick way to clean lenses. These wipes contain isopropyl alcohol to safely and effectively clean without leaving streaks or residue. Lenses stay cleaner longer and are resistant to static. The nonabrasive cloths are designed for anytime, anywhere one-time use. Excellent for prescription eyeglasses, sun and sport lenses, scopes and binoculars, camera lens, safety and sports goggles. Ok for occasional use for computer screens. Keep several on hand in your car, at work, at home or school. i've used these for quite a while for my prescriptive eyeglasses, great with no streaking/residue.... BUT, on camera lenses, they have a tendency to leave a residue, easily removed with a microfiber type cloth... also, picked up a small giottos blower..... best thing i've bought in years....

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01-21-2009, 05:43 PM	#2
Miserere Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Boston Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,993	My non-professional opinion: They're safe. At least I hope they are, because I use them from time to time when a lens gets fingerprints and/or smudges. For dust I just use the blower.

01-21-2009, 06:09 PM	#3
Quicksand Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Central Ohio (formerly SF Bay Area) Posts: 1,519	Probably safe, in my opinion. But use with care, because ANYTHING you touch to a lens, no matter how soft, can drag around abrasive bits of grunge. And that goes for wipes, lens pens, soft-bristle brushes, or whatever. Start with the blower!

01-21-2009, 06:47 PM	#4
mithrandir Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,895	Check the ingredients. If they have ammonia, then they are unsafe for optical coatings. If they have alcohol, then they potentially could harm some optical coatings. You might want to look into something like Purosol.

01-21-2009, 07:45 PM	#5
shutterpuppy Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Dallas Texas Posts: 319 Original Poster	Thanks guys, So many different opinions, they do have a faint smell of alcohol to them and that's what had me worried, I'm only using them now to clean the LCD of smudges for which it does a great job Barry

01-21-2009, 08:28 PM	#6
Toshi Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 431	As mentioned above, if it contains any alcohol, thinner, benzine, or any other organic solvent, don't use it (all my lens manuals state this.) The specialized optical coating on lenses can be ruined over time.

01-21-2009, 10:09 PM	#7
laissezfaire Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 188	Originally posted by Toshi As mentioned above, if it contains any alcohol, thinner, benzine, or any other organic solvent, don't use it (all my lens manuals state this.) The specialized optical coating on lenses can be ruined over time. then what lens cleaners would you recommend and where do you get it from?

01-21-2009, 10:25 PM	#8
mithrandir Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,895	Check Amazon.com for Purosol for optical lenses. You can use it with Kim-wipes or a microfiber cloth.

01-21-2009, 10:28 PM	#9
Toshi Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 431	Originally posted by laissezfaire then what lens cleaners would you recommend and where do you get it from? I use a blower to get all potential dust off the lens first. Then I use a Lenspen brush to gently brush the surface. If there's any smudges after that, I use my breath and a high quality microfiber cloth and gently wipe. I use the backend of the Lenspen sometimes as well. If you want to use liquid cleaners, I'd use camera lens specific ones like Eclipse. They can all be found online.

01-22-2009, 07:03 AM	#10
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,987	Originally posted by shutterpuppy Hey All, At Walgreens, I came across a package of pre-moistened eyeglass wipes... 30 for $3.99, the package says they are safe for camera lenses too. I know that if you add "photographic" to a common item, the price can skyrocket (remembering the days of photo paper cutters that use to cost a lot more than an office paper cutter would for essentially the same thing. Has anyone used these and can they cause any long term damage. I trust them on eyeglasses but on lenses $300 or more, I don't want to risk it. Thanks Barry The wet wipes I've seen contain isopropyl alcohol, which is perfectly safe for lens coatings. One thing to remember is that eyeglass lenses are much more fragile than camera lenses, so in general what is safe for cleaning your glasses will be safe for your camera lens. With that in mind, I bought a package of Zeiss wet wipes from our local Wal-Mart optical kiosk. I found that they work well for cleaning off smudges, but they do leave a residue which has to subsequently be removed with a dry wipe and breath (I use old cotton shirt material for this).

01-22-2009, 11:51 AM	#12
aCIDfire Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 110	Hi, new to pentaxforums.com For all of my lenses I use this set of wet-dry cleaners: GREEN CLEAN LENS CLEANER They are safe and leave no marks on lens surface. And they are cheap too.

01-22-2009, 12:44 PM	#13
slawek Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 188	Is "Green clean" available on line?